Free Web NovelChapter 257: Zhou Cang Besieges Beihai
After Mi Zhu saluted, he took out a letter written by his master Tao Qian from his long sleeve. ƒrēewebnovel.com
Kong Rong had someone present it to him, and he carefully examined it.
The letter read:
"Brother Wenju, it has been a long time since we last corresponded, and I never imagined we would be communicating in this manner.
...A few months ago, Cao Cao’s father was killed by one of my generals in Xuzhou...
It was all a misunderstanding, but... now Cao Cao is attacking Xuzhou urgently, even slaughtering innocent people in Xuzhou. It is truly a divine punishment! I hope you will come to our aid.
Even if not for the friendship between us over the years, you should consider the lives of the millions of innocent people in Xuzhou!"
After putting away the letter, Kong Rong pondered for a long time, furrowing his brows.
He never expected so many events to have transpired in Xuzhou in such a short time.
The most important thing was Cao Cao’s massacre of the city, which was deeply condemned by the people and heaven. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
As a descendant of the sage Confucius, Kong Rong could not bear to see the innocent people of Xuzhou slaughtered in vain.
However, considering the disparity in strength between himself and Cao Cao, he felt it was too great.
If he led his army to help Tao Qian and resist Cao Cao, he wasn’t sure if Cao Cao would then target his Beihai Commandery and even the entire Qingzhou.
In his contemplation, he thought of several ways to achieve a win-win situation.
He then spoke heavily:
"I have had a deep friendship with Tao Gongzu in the early years, and now that Zizhong (Mi Zhu’s courtesy name) has come in person, how can I not go?
Moreover, the people of Xuzhou are in dire straits, which is also my responsibility, and the responsibility of all lords under heaven!"
Kong Rong first denounced Cao Cao’s unrighteous actions, then, changing his tone, softly said:
"However... Cao Mengde and I have no personal enmity. If we act rashly, it might incur his animosity. We should first send a letter to mediate. If he does not comply, then we can raise troops."
Upon hearing this, Mi Zhu stomped his foot in frustration, realizing that this matter could not be delayed any longer. The longer it dragged on, the worse the situation would be for them.
Mi Zhu urgently clasped his hands and said:
"Lord Kong, Xuzhou is now in imminent danger!!!
Cao Cao relies on his military strength and will never agree to peace. If we delay further, Xuzhou might change hands!!"
"This......"
Kong Rong hesitated, finally lowering his arms powerlessly and sighing:
"Fine, fine! I will immediately gather troops, but... but the letter still needs to be sent. As the saying goes: ’Courtesy before force.’"
Then, while Kong Rong began gathering troops, he also sent someone with the letter.
The army was about to march towards Xuzhou.
During their discussion,
Suddenly, a spy reported: the Yellow Turban bandit Zhou Cang was leading tens of thousands of bandits to attack.
They were fierce and unstoppable, with soldiers along the way unable to resist!
Upon hearing this news, Kong Rong was greatly shocked, his pupils shrinking.
He hurriedly gathered his troops and went out of the city to face the bandits.
As for Mi Zhu, he could only wait on the side.
Mi Zhu wanted to speak but held back, his emotions plummeting from high to low, feeling extremely distressed.
On the tall and majestic city walls, defensive weapons were arrayed, including crossbows, with massive arrows capable of piercing through hard rocks.
Kong Rong, clad in a blue armor, ascended the city wall under the protection of hundreds of personal guards.
Looking out, he saw a sea of dark spears standing erect, the murderous aura from tens of thousands of spears making the sky darken.
At the forefront of the tens of thousands of Yellow Turban bandits was a tall man, nine feet tall, wearing heavy golden armor, with a wild and rugged beard.
"This person must be the leader of this Yellow Turban bandit army, Zhou Cang?"
Kong Rong muttered quietly, narrowing his eyes.
The surrounding guards drew closer to Kong Rong, their golden armor and shields gleaming and protecting him.
Boom——
Suddenly,
A thunderous roar resounded in the sky.
It was Zhou Cang, who rode out and brandished his sword, shouting loudly:
"Kong Wenju on the city wall, listen up. I know that Beihai Commandery is well-stocked with grain. Today, I come to borrow ten thousand stones of grain. If you are willing to lend it to me, I will retreat;
Otherwise, I will lead my army to break through the city, sparing neither the old nor the young!"
His voice was like a beast roaring in the forest, intimidating the hearts of men. The defenders on the city wall were shaken upon hearing this.
This fierce man exudes a thick aura of killing intent!!! It has condensed into the form of a yellow bear.
Kong Rong was shocked in his heart and immediately shouted loudly:
"You must be Zhou Cang, the leader of the Yellow Turban bandits!!! Your words are nonsense. I am a minister of the Han Dynasty, who lives on the Han Dynasty’s salary and naturally defends the land of the Han Dynasty. How could I give grain to bandits!"
Zhou Cang was furious. He spurred his horse and brandished his sword, charging directly at Kong Rong.
Kong Rong’s general, Zong Bao, instantly stepped forward with his spear.
His spear moved like a nimble snake, quick and agile.
However, Zhou Cang let out a loud shout, his long sword gathering a sharp, brilliant light. With one slash, he broke Zong Bao’s intricate moves.
One strength overwhelms ten techniques; such terror!
Zong Bao’s face turned pale, his chest heaving, and his spear trembling uncontrollably.
Another crescent-shaped blade beam shot out, and Zong Bao used all his strength to form a firm light-blue shield with his spear.
However, the blade beam sliced through the light-blue shield in the air and, carrying terrifying sharpness, cut through.
Zong Bao’s eyes were filled with fear as he was cut down from his horse, his body split in two, a horrifying sight.
In less than a few exchanges, Zong Bao was cut down by Zhou Cang’s blade.
Zhou Cang’s terrifying arm strength and superior martial arts instantly threw Kong Rong’s army into chaos, causing them to flee into the city in panic.
Facing such a crisis, Kong Rong remained calm. As a descendant of the sage Confucius, he practiced a top-tier divine skill passed down since the pre-Qin period.
Naturally, he did not fear such a scene. He made hand gestures and chanted.
Suddenly,
A celestial book wrapped in ten thousand golden rays appeared behind him, emitting a holy and sacred light.
Affected by the celestial book’s brilliance, Kong Rong’s army calmed from their panic and their morale rose, vaguely forming a strong fighting force.
Seeing this, Zhou Cang’s warhorse hesitated, and he watched from a distance, his long sword dragging on the ground.
In his heart, he thought: “As expected, Kong Rong, born of the Confucius family, though not highly talented, surpasses ordinary people with the help of such divine skills.”
Then, he frowned and loudly ordered: "Liao Hua, heed my command! Lead ten thousand archers to keep shooting, we must deplete the enemy’s numbers!"
"Yes!!"
A young general responded in a low voice.
He was Zhou Cang’s deputy, highly skilled, far superior to other Yellow Turban soldiers.
Immediately,
Zhou Cang divided his troops to surround the city on four sides.
On the city wall, Kong Rong was deeply troubled. The skill he practiced was of high grade, but it was an auxiliary skill, not an offensive one.
Otherwise, he could have fought back vigorously from the city wall.
